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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






2. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






3. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






4. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






5. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






6. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






7. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






8. A string of chords played in succession.






9. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






10. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






11. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






12. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






13. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






14. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






15. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






16. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






17. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






18. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






19. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






20. A short or brief sonata.






21. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






22. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






23. Repetition of a single tone.






24. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






25. The first violin in an orchestra.






26. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






27. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






28. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






29. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






30. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






31. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






32. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






33. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






34. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






35. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






36. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






37. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.






38. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






39. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






40. System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note.






41. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






42. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






43. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






44. The structure of a piece of music.






45. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






46. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






47. Group of singers in a chorus.






48. Music that is easy to listen to and understand.






49. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






50. The principal note of a triad.